Elderly Man Jailed for Hitting Wife After Argument Over Beer Promoter

By
Gowri Rajaratnam
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In a scene more suited to K-drama than real life, a 77-year-old man, Low Poh Puay (also known as Edward) found himself jailed for six weeks after a spat with his wife escalated into violence. 

The verbal argument took a dark turn when he struck his 66-year-old wife with a bamboo pole, leading to serious injuries. 

Here’s what happened.

Elderly Man Jailed for Hitting Wife After Argument Over Beer Promoter

The incident unfolded late at night when Low returned home after a night of drinking at the coffeshop.

His wife, suspecting that his encounter with the beer promoter was a bit more than casual banter at the coffee shop, confronted him, leading to a verbal showdown. In a fit of anger, Low grabbed a mop and, using its wooden pole, hit his wife on the head. 

The situation worsened when she fought back with a bamboo pole to his hands, prompting Low to intensify his assault on her head, resulting in blood and a call to the police. 

Caregiver Stress: The Hidden Struggle

What’s perhaps most tragic is the backdrop against which this violence occurred.

Both Edward’s wife and son were dealing with significant mental health challenges with his wife suffering specifically from schizophrenia. Edward was allegedly experiencing caregiver burnout, as pointed out by the Prosecutor in the case. 

Caregiving, especially in a high-stress environment like Singapore, can lead to severe emotional and physical exhaustion known as caregiver burnout. 

This state often manifests through chronic fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances, and even depression. 

Caregivers may find themselves in a relentless cycle of stress, particularly when juggling caregiving with other responsibilities or facing the daunting progression of a loved one’s illness.

Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:

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Gowri Rajaratnam